Can opener



R. J. SIMPSON Oct. 6, 1 964 CAN OPENER Filed Sept. 24, 1962 INVENTOR. @iffffiM/fd/V United States Patent 3,151,764 CAN OPENER Robert J. Simpson, 189) Sycamore Drive, San Marino, Calif. Filed Sept. 24, 1962, Ser. No. 225,736 12 Claims. (Cl. 220-52) The present invention relates to apparatus for opening containers, and, more particularly, to a reusable handoperated utensil for opening sealed containers having a removable sealing band.

As is commonly known, a large number of consumer products are presently marketed in vacuum sealed containers. Although such containers vary in size and shape they generally each include a removable sealing band or ribbon which forms a portion of the outer surface of the sealed container and surrounds a top or lid of the container. The sealing band has a free protruding end for receiving an opener which is usually provided with the vacuum sealed container. Such openers generally are of a key-type, comprising a shaft portion and a handle of suitable shape. The shaft includes a longitudinal slot adapted to receive the free end of the sealing hand.

To open the sealed container the free end of the sealing band is passed through the longitudinal slot and the shaft portion of the key rested against the side of the container. The key is then turned to wind the sealing band from the container around the shaft portion of the key opener.

The diameter of the shaft portion of the conventional key-type openers is relatively small, generally being less than one-eighth of an inch. Due to the small diameter of the shaft portion of the opener, a large number of turns of the opener are required to completely wind the sealing band from the smallest of containers, such as those containing peanuts. For larger containers, such as those containing ham, even a greater number of turns are necessary, thus requiring an appreciable eifort on the part of an operator using the opener.

In addition, to open a sealed container in the above described manner, it is desirable, if not mandatory, to maintain a single uniform roll of the sealing band around the shaft portion of the key opener. In practice, this is difiicult to accomplish even on small containers While on larger containers it is not only an exacting and extremely diiiicult chore but also becomes somewhat dangerous in that in attempting to maintain a uniform roll of the band the use of both hands adjacent the sharp surfaces of the sealing band is generally required.

In an attempt to overcome some of the disadvantages associated with the conventional key-type opener, apparatus has been developed which provides an increased diameter for the key opener to facilitate the removal of the sealing bands from sealed containers. Such apparatus, however, are either not reusable or, if reusable, require extreme care in removing the rolled sealing band therefrom.

In view of the above, the present invention provides an improved household utensil for opening sealed containers having a removable sealing band which is reusable and which includes means for readily ejecting the rolled sealing band therefrom.

To accomplish this the present invention in a basic form includes a telescoping assembly of an inner and an outer member. The inner member includes an opening extending longitudinally from one end of the inner member. The opening is arranged to receive the free end of the sealing band of the container to be opened. The outer member is slidable about and relative to the inner member such that an opening extending longitudinally from one of the outer member is movable about the opening in the inner member. Relative movement is limited between the inner and outer members. Extending from one of the members is a handle forming means. The handle forming means allows an operator to control the relative sliding movement between the inner and outer members as well as to turn the telescoping assembly to wind the sealing band from the container.

In operation, the operator grasps the handle forming means and places the free end of the sealing band within the opening in the inner member. The inner member is then turned to secure the sealing band to the telescoping assembly. With the telescoping assembly resting against the side of the sealed container and with the opening in the inner member within the outer member the operator turns the handle forming means thereby turning the assembly to wind the sealing band from the container over the opening in the outer member and around the outer member. When the band is completely severed from the container the rolled sealing band is ejected from the assembly by simply sliding the inner member relative to the outer member to loosen the free end of the sealing band from the opening in the inner member. The apparatus is then ready for use in opening another sealed container.

By constructing the telescoping assembly to have an outer circumferal dimension of the order of three inches the number of turns required to open a vacuum sealed container is materially reduced.

In addition, the provision of a large surface in contact with the sealing band as it is wound from the container greatly facilitates the continuous Winding of the band in a uniform roll.

The relatively large diameter of the telescoping assembly also provides increased leverage in the Winding of sealing bands to make a relatively easy task of the opening of even the most difiicult to open vacuum sealed containers.

Further, due to the slidable character of the telescoping elements forming the present invention the rolled sealing band is readily ejected from the assembly after the can has been completely opened, thereby providing a resusable household tool for opening sealed containers.

The above, as well as other features of the present invention, may be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered with the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective representation of one form of the present invention in combination with a vacuum sealed can;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional representation of the basic form of the present invention illustrated in FIG- URE 1;

FIGURES 3 and 4 are perspective representations of another form of the present invention;

FIGURE 5 is a schematic representation of a third form of the present invention; and

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional representation of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 5.

In FIGURE 1 a basic form of the telescoping assembly It) forming one embodiment of the utensil of the present invention is illustrated in combination with the top portion of a vacuum sealed container 12 having a removable sealing band or ribbon 14. The sealing band 14 is shown partially removed from the container 12 and Wound around the telescoping arrangement 10.

As represented in FIGURES 1 and 2, the telescoping assembly 10 includes an inner member 16. The inner member 16 is illustrated as comprising a substantially flat main body portion 18 having substantially parallel opposing edges 20 and 22. Extending downwardly from the main body portion 2i) is a forked end portion 24. The forked end portion extends along the edge 20 of the main body portion and includes a pair of prong members 26 and 28 arranged to form an opening or open ended slot 30 for receiving a free or protrud ng end of the sealing band 14. As illustrated, the prong 26 includes a protruding portion 32 which extends outward beyond the edge 29 of the inner member 16.

In addition to the inner member 16, the telescoping assembly also includes a hollow outer member 34. The inner surface of the outer member 34 is shaped to receive the inner member 16 to form a longitudinally slidable telescoping arrangement. In this regard the inner surface of the outer member 34 is shaped to form a pair of opposing guiding means which receive the edges 20 and 22 of the inner member 16 and provide longitudinal guiding for the inner member 16 within the outer member 34. More particularly, in the form of the invention illustrated in FIGURES l and 2 the outer hollow member 34 is rectangular in cross section and is dimensioned to receive the flat body portion 18 along a diagonal between a pair of inner corners 35 and 36, the inner corners 35 and 36 receiving the edges 2%) and 22, respectively. In this manner the inner corners 35 and 36 function as longitudinal guiding channels to receive and guide the edges 20 and 22 of the inner member 16 as the inner member longitudinally slides within and without the outer member 34.

As illustrated in FIGURE 1, the outer member 34 includes a stepped slot 38. The slot 38 extends longitudinally upward from an open end 40 of the outer member 34 along the corner 35 and includes an enlarged portion 42 immediately adjacent the open end 40 and a relatively small slot portion 44 which extends longitudinally upward along the corner 35 to a point midway between the ends of the outer member 34. The slot 38 is dimensioned to receive the forked end portion 24 of the inner member 14. Thus, by sliding the inner member 16 upward within the outer member 34, the forked end portion 24 with the slot 30 is drawn within the outer member 34 and within the slot 38. It is to be noted that as the inner member is drawn upward within the outer member 34, the protruding portion 32 of the forked end portion 24 engages an end 45 of the slot 38. The end 45 thus acts as a stop member to limit the upward longitudinal movement of the inner member 16 within the outer member 34.

Extending upward from the inner member 16 and forming a portion thereof is a handle means 46 having outward extensions 48 and 50. The handle means and its extensions 48 and 50 provide a hand-grasping area for an operator in utilizing the telescoping assembly 10 to wind the sealing band 14 from the container 12. As illustrated in FIGURE 2, the outward extensions 48 and 50 extend along a common plane and contact an end of the outer member 34 adjacent the corners 35 and 36 to provide a stop means for limiting downward longitudinal sliding movement of the inner member 16 within the outer member 34.

To wind the sealing band 14 from the container 12 using the telescoping assembly 10 the operator first grasps the handle 46 in one hand and the outer member 34 in the other. With the inner and outer members in a position similar to that illustrated in FIGURE 2 the operator inserts the free end of the sealing band 14 within the slot 30 formed by the prongs 26 and 28 of the forked end portion 24 and turns the assembly to wrap the band around the prongs 26 and 28 thereby securing the end of the band within the slot 30. The operator then slides the outer member 34 down over the inner member 16 to bring the prongs 26 and 28 and the end of the band 14 within the slot 42. (See FIGURE 1.) With the outer member 34 resting against the side of the can 12, the operator turns the handle 46 in a clockwise direction to rotate the telescoping assembly 10 and to wind the sealing band 14 from the container 12 as illustrated in FIG- URE 1. The operator continues to turn the handle 46 until the sealing band 14 is completely severed from the container 12. When the sealing band is completely severed from the container it forms a single uniform roll around the outer surface of the outer member 16.

To eject the rolled sealing band from the telescoping assembly 10 the operator simply slides the inner member 16 upward relative to the outer member 34 to bring the forked end portion 24 within the'small slot 44. As the forked end portion enters the slot 44 the rolled sealing band wrapped around the prongs 26 and 28 contacts shoulder portions of the outer member 34 immediately adjacent the open end of the slot 44 causing the end of the band 14 to be loosened from the slot 38 in the forked end portion 24. The rolled' sealing hand then either drops or is projected from the forked end portion 24 to ready the telescoping assembly for reuse.

Referring to FIGURES 3 and 4, a telescoping arrangement 51 is illustrated having a substantially smooth cylindrical outer surface to aid in the forming of a uniform roll of the sealing band as it is removed from an associated vacuum sealed container. The telescoping assembly 51 includes an inner member 52 substantially similar to the inner member 16 previously described in connection with FIGURES l and 2. The inner member 52 comprises a substantially flat main body portion 54 having substantially parallel opposing edges 56 and 58. Extending downward from the main body portion 54 along the edge 50 is a forked end portion 60. The forked end portion 60 includes a pair of prong members 62 and 64 forming an opening or open ended slot 66 for receiving a free end of the sealing band of a vacuum sealed container.

The assembly 51 also includes a substantially cylindrical tubular outer member 68 for longitudinally receiving the inner member 52 to form a telescoping arrangement. The outer member 68 includes a slot 70 which extends longitudinally upward from an open end 72 of the outer member 68 along substantially one-third of the length of the outer member 68.

As illustrated in FIGURE 3 a longitudinally extending portion 74 of the surface of the outer member 68 protrudes outward from the otherwise cylindrical outer surface of the outer member. The longitudinally extend- 1ng portion 74 is in line with the slot 70 and forms a longitudinally extending channel 76 in the'inner surface of the outer member 68. The outer member 68 is dimensioned to receive the inner member 52 such that the inner member just fits between the channel 76 and an inner side of the outer member 68 opposite the channel, the channel 76 being dimensioned to receive the edge 56 of the inner member 52. The channel 76 thus provides means for laterally securing the inner member 52 within the outer member 68 and means for longitudinally guiding the inner member to slide longitudinally within the outer member such that the forked end portion 68 with the slot 66 is carried within and without the slot 70.

To aid in laterally securing the inner member 52 within the outer member 68, as well as to longitudinally guide and limit the longitudinal sliding movement of the inner member 52 within the outer member 68, the outer member includes a second longitudinal slot 78. The slot 78 extends substantially parallel to the slot 70 and is directly opposite the channel 76. Extending within the slot 78 is a guide projection 80 extending from the edge 58 of the inner member 52. The projection 80 travels with the inner member 52 within the slot 78 to aid the channel 76 in guiding the longitudinal sliding movement of the inner member 52 within the outer member 68. The slot 78 and the projection 80 also provide means for limiting the relative longitudinal movement of the inner and outermembers. In particular, the projection 80, in engaging an end 82 of the slot 78, limits the downward longitudinal movement of the inner member 52 within the outer member 68 while the projection 88, when engaging an end 84 of the slot 78, limits the upward longitudinal movement of the inner member 52 within the outer member 68 and stops the inner member 52 with the forked end portion 6% within the channel 76.

Similar to the telescoping assembly 10 described in connection with FIGURES 1 and 2, a handle forming means 86 extends upward and outward from the inner member 52 and an end thereof opposite the forked end portion 60. The handle forming means 85, in extending from the inner member 52, forms a pair of outward extensions 88 and 90, which provide hand-grasping areas for an operator in utilizing the telescoping assembly 51.

The operation of the telescoping assembly 51 is substantially as previously described in connection with the basic form of the present invention. Briefly, while grasping the handle 86 and with the inner and outer members of the assembly positioned substantially as illustrated in FIGURE 3, the operator passes the free end of the sealing band from the container into the slot 66 in the forked end portion 69 and turns the assembly to wrap the band around the prongs 62 and 54 thereby securing the end of the band with slot 65. The operator then slides the outer member 68 downward over the inner member 52 to bring the forked end portion 69 Within the slot 70. With the telescoping assembly 51 resting against a side of the vacuum container the operator turns the handle 86 to wind the sealing band from the container over the slot 7i and around the outer surface of the outer member 63 below the portion 74.

When the sealing band is completely severed from the container the operator ejects the rolled sealing band from the telescoping assembly by longitudinally sliding the inner member 52 upward relative to the outer member 68 to draw the forked end portion 69 into the channel 76. As the forked end portion 60 enters the channel 76, the rolled sealing band wrapped around the prongs 62 and 64 contacts protruding portions of the outer member 68 about the lower end of the channel 76 causing the end of the band to be loosened from the slot 66. The rolled sealing band is then free to drop from forked end portion 60 thereby readying the telescoping assembly for reuse.

The form of the present invention illustrated in FIG- URES 5 and 6 employs a pair of slotted cylindrical members which are rotatable one within the other to elfect the winding of a sealing band from the container rather than a pair of longitudinally sliding members as utilized in the embodiments of the present invention heretofore described. Such an arrangement has the advantages of being compact and rugged in design as well as being easy to manufacture.

More particularly, as illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6, the assembly includes an inner member 92 having 9. cylindrical outer surface. Preferably the inner member 92 is formed from cylindrical tubular stock having a predetermined outside diameter. The inner member 92 includes a slot 94 for receiving the free end of a sealing band 95 of a container to be opened. The slot 94 extends longitudinally upward from an open end 96 of the inner member 92.

The assembly illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6 also includes a hollow outer member 98 having a cylindrical inner surface. Preferably, the outer member 98 is formed from cylindrical tubular stock having a predetermined inner diameter which is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the inner member 92. The hollow outer member 93 is thus shaped to receive the inner member 92 to form a telescoping arrangement. In particular, due to the small difference in diameters of the inner and outer members 98 makes friction contact with the outer surface of the inner member 92. Similar to the inner member, the outer member 98 includes a slot 1% which extends longitudinally upward from an open end 192 of the outer member 98 to communicate with the slot 94 in the inner member 92.

To prevent longitudinal sliding movement and to limit rotary sliding movement between the inner and outer members, a key member 104 is coupled through an opening 166 in the outer member 98 and through a lateral slot 108 in the inner mmeber 92.

Extending upward from and forming a part of the inner member 92 is a handle means 110. The handle means 110 provides a grasping area for an operator to grip the inner member 92 and to impart relative rotary movement between the inner member and the outer member 98.

In operation the operator grasps the handle 110 in one hand and the outer member 98 in the other and turns the inner member 92 relative to the outer member until the opening 94 communicates with the opening 100. He then slides the end of the sealing band through the openings 1% and 94- and turns the inner member relative to the outer member to clamp the end of the sealing band within the telescoping arrangement as illustrated in FIGURE 6. The operator then rests the telescoping arrangement alongside the container to be opened and rotates the assembly by turning the handle 110. The sealing band winds from the container around the outer surface of the outer member 98 to form a continuous roll. When the sealing band is completely severed from the container the rolled sealing band is easily removed from the telescoping assembly by reversing the relative sliding movement of the inner and outer members to again cause the opening 94 to communicate with the opening 100. This releases the end of the sealing band from the telescoping assembly allowing the rolled sealing band to uncoil slightly and drop from the assembly which is then ready for reuse in opening other containers.

Although the outer circumference of the telescoping assembly of the present invention may be of any given dimension, in practice, telescoping assemblies having a circumference of approximately three inches have proven entirely satisfactory in opening any size of vacuum sealed container.

By providing such a circumferal dimension the physical effort required to turn the telescoping assembly, as well as the total number of turns necessary to open a sealed container, is substantially less than that required with the conventional key-type opener.

In addition, the provision of a relatively large surface area about the sealing band as it is wound from the container greatly facilitates the Winding of the sealing band in a uniform roll from the container.

Further, due to the relative ease with which the operator is able to slide the inner member relative to the outer member, simple and entirely safe means are provided for ejecting the rolled sealing band to ready the telescoping assembly for reuse.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for opening sealed containers having a removable sealing band, comprising:

an inner member having an opening for receiving a free end of the sealing band;

a hollow outer member for receiving the inner member to form an assembly, the outer member having an opening therein and being slidable about and relative to the inner member such that the opening in the outer member is movable about the opening in the inner member;

means for limiting the relative sliding movement between the inner and outer members such that the inner and outer members will rotate together;

and handle forming means extending from one of the members to provide means for imparting relative sliding movement between the inner and outer members to move the opening in the inner member within and without the opening in the outer member and for turning the inner member to secure the band to the assembly and to wind the band from the container through and over the opening in the outer member and around the outer member such that when the band is completely severed from the container it is removable from the assembly by sliding the outer member relative to the inner member. 2. Apparatus for opening sealed containers having a removable sealing band, comprising:

an inner member having a slot for receiving a free end of the sealing band;

a hollow outer member for receiving the inner member to form a telescoping arrangement, the outer member being slidable relative to the inner member and the slotted end portion of the inner member;

means for limiting relative rotary movement between the inner and outer members such that the members will rotate together;

the slot in the outer member and around the outer member such that when the band is completely severed from the container it is removable from the inner and outer members by longitudinally moving the outer member relative to the inner member to draw the forked end portion within the outer member.

5. Apparatus for opening sealed containers having a removable sealing band, comprising:

having a slot therein which is movable with the 10 a substantially flat inner member having substantially outer member about the slot in the inner member; parallel edges and a longitudinally forked end pormeans for limiting relatively rotary movement between n r receiving a fr end Of the ealing and;

the inner and outer members such that the members a hollow outer member having its inner surface shaped rotate together; to form two opposing guiding means for longitudiand means protruding from one of the members to nally receiving the edges of the inner member to provide a grasping area allowing an operator t i longitudinally guide the inner member within the part relative sliding movement between the inner Outer member to m a longitudinally telescoping and outer members to move the slot in the inner arrang the Outer member having a Slot member within and without the slot in the outer tending in a line With one of the guiding means member and to turn the inner member to secure the m a end of he ut r m m er adjacent to the band to the telescoping arrangement and to wind fOfked end Portion of the iIlIler member When the band from the container through and over the ceiVed y the Outer member Such that th f rk d slot in the outer member and around the outer memend POrtion is movable With the inner member ber such that when the band is completely severed Within and Without the Slot; from the container it is removable from the telep means for limiting relative longitudinal movescoping arrangement by sliding the outer member Iheht of the inner and Outer members; l ti to h i memben and means protruding from one of the members to 3. Apparatus for opening sealed containers having are- Provide grasping area allowing all Operator to movable sealing b d, comprising; turn the lnner member to secure the band to the an inner member having a slotted end portion for retelescoping arrangement, to impart relative longiceiving a f d f th sgaling b d; tudinal movement between the inner and outer mema hollow outer member for receiving the inner memh to move the forked end Portion Within the t her, the outer member having an open ended slot at 111 the Outer member and to turn the telescoping one end thereof and being longitudinally slidable Iengement to wind the nd from the container over relative to the inner member to move the slot over the Slot around the t r m m r Such that when the band is completely severed from the container it is removable from the telescoping arrangement by imparting relative longitudinal movement between the inner and outer members to draw the forked end portion within the outer. member.

and means protruding from one of the members to provide a grasping area allowing an operator to impart relative longitudinal sliding movement between the inner and outer members to move the slotted portion within and Without the slot in the outer member and to turn the inner member with the outer member to secure the band to the inner member and to wind the band from the container around the outer member such that when the band is completely severed from the container it is removable from the inner and outer members by sliding the outer member relative to the inner member.

4. Apparatus for opening sealed containers having a removable sealing band, comprising:

an inner member having a forked end portion for re- 6. The apparatus defined in claim 5 wherein the hollow outer member has a rectangular opening and the means for guiding are formed from diagonally opposite inner corners of the outer member.

7. Apparatus for opening sealed containers having a removable sealing band, comprising:

a substantially flat inner member having substantially parallel edges and a forked end portion a side of which protrudes laterally beyond one of the edges;

a hollow outer member having a rectangular opening dimensioned to longitudinally receive the inner member with the parallel edges extending between diagonally opposite inner corners of the outer member to form a longitudinal telescoping assembly, the

ceiving a free end of the sealing band;

a hollow outer member having its inner surface shaped to longitudinally receive the inner member and to limit relative rotary movement between the inner and outer members such that the inner and outer members rotate together, the hollow outer member outer member having a stepped slot including an enlarged portion extending longitudinally from an end of the outer member adjacent to the forked end portion along one of the opposite corners and a small slot communicating longitudinally with the enlarged portion such that the forked end portion l having an Open ended Slot in an end Surface is movable with the inner member into and out of adjacent to the forked end portion of the inner memthe pp Slot, a e f the small slot acting as b as received by the Outer member Such that the a stop for one direction of longitudinal movement forked end portion is movable with the inner memof Inner membeh Wlthlh the outer member y ber Within the slot; engaging the protruding side of the forked end portron;

means for limiting relative longitudinal movement of the inner and outer members;

and handle forming means extending from one of the and handle forming means extending from the inner member at an end opposite to the forked end portion, the handle forming means acting as a stop for the other direction of longitudinal movement of the inner member within the outer member by engaging an end of the outer member, and providing means for turning the inner member to secure the band to the inner member, for imparting relative longitudinal movement between the inner and outer members to move the forked end portion within 9. 1D the enlarged portion of the stepped slot, and for 10. The apparatus defined in claim 9 wherein the outer turning the inner and outer members to wind the member includes a second longitudinal slot opposite the band from the container over the slot and around channel and wherein the inner member includes a prothe outer member such that when the band is comjection from an edge of the inner member extending pletely severed from the container it is removable within the second longitudinal slot to aid in guiding the from the telescoping arrangement by longitudinally inner member and to form means for limiting the relamoving the forked end portion into the small slot tive longitudinal movement of the inner and outer in the outer member. members.

8. Apparatus for opening sealed containers having a 11. Apparatus for opening sealed containers having a removable sealing band, comprising: 10 removable sealing band, comprising:

a substantially flat inner member having substantially parallel edges and a longitudinally forked end portion for receiving a free end of a sealing band;

a tubular outer member for receiving the inner member to form a telescoping arrangement, the outer member such that when the band is completely severed from the container it is removable from the telescoping arrangement by longitudinally moving the inner member relative to the outer member.

move the forked end portion within the channel.

an inner member having a cylindrical outer surface and an opening therein for receiving a free end of the sealing band, the inner member having a predetermined outer diameter;

an outer hollow member having a cylindrical inner member having its inner surface shaped to form a surface for receiving the inner member to form a channel for longitudinally receiving an edge of the telescoping assembly, the outer member having an inner member to longitudinally guide the inner memopening therein for communicating with the openber within the outer member, and to limit relative ing in the inner member and having a predetermined rotary movement between the inner and outer meminner diameter which is slightly greater than the bers such that the inner member rotates with the outer diameter of the inner member such that the outer member, the outer member also having a slot outer member makes friction contact with the inner extending from an end of the outer member adjamember; cent the forked end portion when received by the and handle forming means extending from one of the outer member and in line with the channel. members to provide means for imparting relative means for limiting relative longitudinal movement berotary movement between the inner and outer memtween the inner and outer members; bers to close communication between the openings and means protruding from one of the members to in the inner and outer members and secure the band provide a grasping area allowing an operator to to the telescoping arrangement, and for turning the turn the inner member to secure the band to the tele- 3O telescoping arrangement to wind the band from the scoping arrangement, to impart relative sliding movecontainer around the outer member such that when ment between the inner and outer members to move the band is completely severed from the container the forked end portion into the slot, and to turn it is removable from the telescoping arrangement the telescoping arrangement to wind the band from by reversing the relative rotary movement between the container over the slot and around the outer the inner and outer members to open communication between the openings. 12. Apparatus for opening sealed containers having a removable sealing band, comprising:

an inner member having a cylindrical outer surface,

9. Apparatus for opening sealed containers having a the inner member having a slot longitudinally extendremovable sealing band, comprising: ing from one end thereof and having a predetermined a substantially flat inner member having substantially Outer diameter;

plararlel edgfes ang a iorked end porftlon exgenfdlrillg all i r E hh t l'l a yl j z l 1111161 3, 011g One 0 H5 6 ges or receivino a ee en 0 t e 5111' 3C6 OI I'eCBIVIIIg e Hillel mem er 0 LOlIl'l a sealing band; a telescoping arrangement, the outer member having a substantially cylindrical tubular outer member for a Slot longitudinally extending from an end thereof receiving the inner member t f a telescoping for communicating with the slot in the inner member arganggleiment, the outer member having a slot longil i h l l g a pg g in d ingrer diitmetzrflwhich is tu in y extending from an end thereof adjacent to S g Y argel' an 1 e 011ml 131m 6f 0 6 1111161 the forked end portion as received in the outer mem- {member Such that relative rotary movement y he beilr 2nd havilg zii rlongtiktludinallyi exatlending portion lmgarged to the iI11' 1It flDdb0l1.:llIEI' mtelrlnbers to open w to protrn es om e cy in ric outer surface an 0056 COHlmlmlCa 0H 6 W n e opemngs; of the outer member in line with the longitudinal slot means for limiting relative IHOVemeht between the 1111161? to form a longitudinal channel in the inner surface and Outer memhffrs; of the outer member for receiving and longitudinally and means protruding from one of the members to guiding the edge of the inner member along which Provide a g p area aHOWlhg an p q the forked end portion extends such that the forked p Isiah? rotary movemetlii ham/e611 the Inner end portion i l wit di ll bl ithi d and outer members to secure e band to the telewithout the lot; y scoping arrangement and to turn the telescoping and handle forming means extending from one of the arrangement to Wind the hand from the t 6r members to provide means for turning the inner around the outer member such that when the band member to secure the band to the telescoping arrangeis completely severed from the container it is rement, for imparting relative longitudinal movement movable from the telescoping arrangement by reversbetween the inner and outer members to move the ing the relative sliding movement between the inner forked end portion within the slot, and for turning d outer member the telescoping arrangement to wind the band from the container over the slot and around the outer References Cited in the file of this patent member such that when the band is completely severed from the container it is removable from the UNITED STATES PATENTS telescoping arrangement by relative longitudinal 2,752,064 Edmond June 26, 1956 movement between the inner and outer members to ,777,600 Woolfolk Jan. 15, 1957 

1. APPARATUS FOR OPENING SEALED CONTAINERS HAVING A REMOVABLE SEALING BAND, COMPRISING: AN INNER MEMBER HAVING AN OPENING FOR RECEIVING A FREE END OF THE SEALING BAND; A HOLLOW OUTER MEMBER FOR RECEIVING THE INNER MEMBER TO FORM AN ASSEMBLY, THE OUTER MEMBER HAVING AN OPENING THEREIN AND BEING SLIDABLE ABOUT AND RELATIVE TO THE INNER MEMBER SUCH THAT THE OPENING IN THE OUTER MEMBER IS MOVABLE ABOUT THE OPENING IN THE INNER MEMBER; MEANS FOR LIMITING THE RELATIVE SLIDING MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER MEMBERS SUCH THAT THE INNER AND OUTER MEMBERS WILL ROTATE TOGETHER; AND HANDLE FORMING MEANS EXTENDING FROM ONE OF THE MEMBERS TO PROVIDE MEANS FOR IMPARTING RELATIVE SLIDING MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER MEMBERS TO MOVE THE OPENING IN THE INNER MEMBER WITHIN AND WITHOUT THE OPENING IN THE OUTER MEMBER AND FOR TURNING THE INNER MEMBER TO SECURE THE BAND TO THE ASSEMBLY AND TO WIND THE BAND FROM THE CONTAINER THROUGH AND OVER THE OPENING IN THE OUTER MEMBER AND AROUND THE OUTER MEMBER SUCH THAT WHEN THE BAND IS COMPLETELY SEVERED FROM THE CONTAINER IT IS REMOVABLE FROM THE ASSEMBLY BY SLIDING THE OUTER MEMBER RELATIVE TO THE INNER MEMBER. 